7 Nov 2011
Commandments, what does that mean?
Yesterday we had a wonderful speaker for our Church service. Dr. Manny Mah is a physician and lay pastor with Trinity. He told us a little about two medical mission trips he has been on. One of the things he said at the end was to go out with the good news, to go on mission trips, to help those less fortunate in other places or even in our own towns or city is not a calling, it is a commandment.
He explained that what holds many of us back from doing things is we do not feel called. In some way we do not feel qualified or that God has specifically asked us to do this. So we do nothing. He said when Jesus said “go out” it was a commandment.
I could see he said it as an encouragement, don’t let anything hold you back.
If you see a need and have the ability, desire or even inclination to help then do it.
The good news of the gospel is not just about the salvation of our souls, it is about becoming loving, compassionate people who make a difference in the lives of others.
Going out with the good news is not about going somewhere & trying to convert others to Christianity.
It is about going to people who are wounded, poor, suffering, hungry, sick or oppressed and loving them, helping them in practical and compassionate ways. We imitate Jesus in this.
If you have money & no time, then give to those who can do these things, who can help people learn how to grow sustainable crops, dig wells, start schools, build hospitals or whatever is needed. It is not about going somewhere & taking over or becoming the provider. It is about helping people gains skills. It is about helping people regain dignity, build their lives and communities. It’s about giving people a chance to be all God created them to be. We all need that!
So I was a little taken aback when a dear friend and member of Trinity came up after the service and said he was upset about the morning’s talk. His main problem was with the idea of this being a commandment. He said that made him want say if it’s a commandment then I won’t do it.
Me, being both a tactless person and knowing this precious man well responded with “Then you have the problem”
He, being a wise and gracious person, agreed.
But the person who overheard was shocked at my ‘hard’ response.
What took me aback with his not wanting to do it if it is a commandment is the fact he is already doing it. In a variety of ways; with a variety of people. He is one of the most generous and helping people I know. So I know the problem is not in the doing.
The crux of the matter is the word commandment.
In our individualistic society none of us likes being told what to do. Commandment seems like we are being told,
“You have to do this, you have no choice.”
Commandment makes us think of an officer in the military giving acommand to a soldier, the soldier must obey or face serious consequences.
Ministers in Churches have often taken this line with people. It has built up legalism, fear that if one does not perform God will not love you. It has caused many to feel resentment and anger and many to leave.
This is a sad and sorry situation, because God’s commandments are not like that.
His commandments are all based on LOVE.
Love God and Love others as you Love yourself.
Jesus said these were the 2 greatest commandments and everything else flows from this.
It’s pretty logical as I keep saying, if you’ve read my blogs or heard my sermons you'll know this is my current hobby-horse:
If you love others you won’t hurt them, abuse them, oppress them or treat them badly. To fully love others you need to love yourself – in healthy non-narcissistic ways. If you really love yourself, really get to know who you are you will discover God, because you are created by God.
I know that is backward from traditional religious thought.
We usually say love God, then you will love others & eventually you may love yourself because you discover that you are made in God’s image. This is not necessarily wrong; in fact it appears to be the way Jesus said it: Love God and Love others as you Love yourself. But that little word "as" means you have to know how to love yourself first.
The problem then with our traditional approach is many people don’t ever really get the whole thing. Let’s face it if we did then we wouldn't keep having religious wars or even Christians who bash each other verbally.
- God’s character is one of love.
- God made you in the same character; that is to be loved and loving.
- God loves you.
- If you know that God loves you, it is simple to love God; in fact it is the natural response
- You are designed to love yourself in healthy ways.
- You are designed to love others.
When you live from this place it is freedom.
So God’s commandments are not “Do this or else!”
Nor are God’s commandments “If you don’t do this I won’t love you.”
What I find is our language is so small, our translations are so limited. We don’t have words to give the right inflections, nuances, underlying meanings.
It is important to know that the commandments, whether that be the 10 big ones or any other thing we find in Scripture are not mere rules and regulations; nor are they guidelines that you may choose to ignore.
Rather commandments are pictures.
Pictures of what life is like when you know who you are.
If you know who you are, if you love yourself in healthy right ways then you will love others, you will treat others well, you will be compassionate, caring, merciful and you will love God because God will reveal God to you.
We need the pictures of the commandments because we have forgotten how to love others, ourselves and God in healthy ways. We have forgotten who we are, who God is and who our fellow travellers on life’s journey are.
When we remember we want to live it. Living it is what Jesus meant when he said go out into all the world, to your neighbours, to those who you thought were enemies, to strangers and love them.
Be the real authentic you.
Help others be the real authentic them.
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